Arizona to Legalize Lane Splitting

I sure wish Florida would pass this law. What are your opinions?


bikeweek.com/phoenix/blog.cfm/post/4465/...legalized-by-arizona

I like it - makes sense - especially with an air cooled motorcycle.

It makes sense, but is dangerous until the cagers get used to bikes sliding past them at lights...not sure it'd work in Texas...too many assholes in pickup trucks.

Yeah, I have a split opinion on this. I think it's good to have this option when needed. But when I used to live in CA (where it is legal) I very RARELY did it, and saw too many bikers abuse the privilege, creating very dangerous situations.

I think it sucks,ive got a certain amount of space around what ever im riding or driving incase i need it

I too am schitzoid on the matter.. & am unsure as to as it's really "legal" even in CA. as opposed to "not against the law" When I lived in So. Cal, Police usually turned the "blind Eye" to lane splitting when temps were "up" and traffic was at gridlock.. But would ticket those simply "manuvering" or traveling more than say 20 mph faster than crawling traffic. Having witnessed riders tagged by lane changers, clipped by rearview mirrors, & straight armed by road ragers, I take the "chicken shit" opt. unless I'm in danger of doing damage by holding with the Que, I stay as low under the radar as possible. G

Where and when it makes to do it, it should be allowed. Even though it's not legal, when sitting behind another vehicle in a line the MSF course teaches to remain in first gear, clutch disengaged, and aimed to scoot ahead into the space beside the vehicle, all the while keeping an eye in the mirror for any tool that doesn't appear to be stopping. Allowing filtering to the front at stop lights would avoid being rear-ended.

I think that it would take a massive education campaign aimed at all vehicle operators to make them aware of the new law as it would pertain to lane sharing. Then each spring a refresher course would be needed for a few years. The question is who would pay for such a campaign.

I think that if motorcycles are to ever be a major part of the nation's transportation plan, then they need to be legally afforded the advantages they naturally have.

Having driven every Interstate in Southern California and Route 95 through Miami hundreds of times I can only say that lane splitting in Florida would be suicide. Just look at the autos there ( Miami ) they're either so expensive their owners can afford anything or they're mangled and dented by a thousand small fender benders.

Just my Personal experience.

Bill

Course, cornsiderin that Arizona just legalized concealed carry without a permit, legalized lane splitting may just offset the 110 degree summer temps!

Bill

I think it's nuts. While I was driving at around 70 mph in heavy traffic from Anaheim to L.A. a couple bikes went flying between lanes of traffic; they were probably going close to 100. I've been riding bikes a very long time, and I consider myself to be aware of their presence even while I'm driving a car or truck, but these really caught me off guard. If I or any of the other car drivers had been the least bit distracted and moved near the edge of our lane the bikes would have been toast. Locally (in MD) I've seen what happens at fairly low speed, around 25 - 30 mph, when a bike's handlebar hits the mirror on a Camero. Broken Camero mirror / busted up bike and rider. Traffic where I live is horrible until you get out in the country. Stop and go. Cars open their doors with no warning to toss coffee, empty ash trays, spit, you name it. On the highway if I get caught in traffic that is stopped for a long period I'll politely move my bike to the shoulder and ride there at LOW speeds until I can get to an exit and take an alternate (usually more interesting) route. Cagers simply cannot be trusted or expected to be aware of bikes lane splitting; and some bikers (no offense intended) cannot be trusted to lane split at low speeds and only when traffic is stopped or nearly stopped. Bottom line, do it if you believe you can trust every cager not to kill/maim you. Ed

I have to say I agree. It's nice that you don't have to stop especially when riding an air-cooled bike and that you don't have to suck all those fumes in but it's too easy for some idiot to curb your enthusiasm (no pun intended) that they don't share and then you are lying on the road with a broken bike and body to match. These morons in California that scream in between cars doing 60-70 are the reasons why these rules probably haven't been passed in other places. California lanes seem a bit wider than Illinois to me so that is a plus but to drivers it is crazy because they come screaming through with those loud pipes that you just want to drop a load in your pants at how recklessly close they get to your car.
Skyman wrote:

Yeah, I have a split opinion on this. I think it's good to have this option when needed. But when I used to live in CA (where it is legal) I very RARELY did it, and saw too many bikers abuse the privilege, creating very dangerous situations.

Mcdroid wrote:

It makes sense, but is dangerous until the cagers get used to bikes sliding past them at lights...not sure it'd work in Texas...too many assholes in pickup trucks.

+1
I think that it would be nice to be able to split at redlights. I'm not sure that I would be comfortable splitting in moving traffic here in Houston.

One of my coworkers is a member of the local GSXR club, and they have an organized ride that goes around Loop 610 intenally splitting lanes, cutting off cars, and generally riding as fast a possible. Usually they run it on Friday nights. I was shocked when he told me this. Anyone who drives in Houston has seen a sportbike riding like an idiot on the freeway, but an organized ride :ohmy: Darwin awards are on the way in short order for those guys.